New to the UK with cancer

If you are new to the UK and living with cancer, we want to help you find the right support. If English is not your first language, we have resources available.

Cancer information and support if you are new to the UK

If you are new to the UK, welcome from all of us at Macmillan Cancer Support.

If English is not your first language, we have listed resources in other languages and formats below to help.

Finding the information you need when you are living with cancer can be stressful. We want it to be easy for you to find what you are looking for so you can get help right away.

 

Worried you might have cancer?

How to register for a GP (doctor) if you are new to the UK

Anyone can register with a GP surgery. It's free to register. Find out more about how to register with a GP in:

You do not need proof of address or immigration status, ID or an NHS number.

Booklets and resources

Read cancer information in your language

We have cancer information in over 16 different languages including Arabic, Chinese, Gujarati, Punjabi, Polish and Romanian. 

You can also search by language and the topics covered include:

  • cancer care in the UK
  • healthcare for refugees and people seeking asylum
  • money and work 
  • managing fatigue and emotions

If you cannot find the information you are looking for in your language, you can ask for some information to be translated for free. Email us at cancerinformationteam@macmillan.org.uk or call us on 0808 808 00 00.

Access information in other formats

We also provide information in different formats, including:

  • audiobooks
  • Braille
  • British Sign Language
  • easy read booklets. 

Get information in other formats

Talk to our cancer support line 

Our Macmillan Support Line is free to call and open 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm. 

If you would like to talk to someone in a language other than English, we offer an interpreter service. Just call us for free on 0808 808 00 00 and say, in English, the language you want to use. You can also send us a web chat message saying you would like an interpreter and the language you need. We’ll arrange for an interpreter to contact you.

Our cancer support specialists can:

  • help with any medical questions you have about cancer or your treatment
  • talk to you about money and benefits
  • be there to listen if you need someone to talk to
  • tell you about services that can help you in your area.

Money worries

Having cancer can bring extra costs such as hospital parking, travel fares and higher heating bills. If you have been affected in this way, we can help.

  • Our financial guidance team can give you guidance on mortgages, pensions, insurance, debt, borrowing and savings.
  • Our welfare rights and benefits advisers can offer advice and information on benefits, tax credits, grants and loans. They can help you work out what financial help you could be entitled to. They can also help you complete your forms and apply for benefits.
  • Macmillan Grants offer small payments to people with cancer. A grant can be for anything from heating bills to extra clothing. 

Find out more about benefits and financial support

Work and cancer

Whether you are an employee, a carer, an employer or are self-employed, we can provide support and information to help you manage cancer at work.

Find out more about money and work 

Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 to speak to a financial guide, benefits adviser or work adviser. 

People share their cancer stories in their language

Watch our Mother Tongue stories on YouTube below to see the impact having cancer information and support in a different language has had on people using our services.